Sparano is all straight talk

ETHAN J. SKOLNICK COMMENTARY

April 2, 2008|ETHAN J. SKOLNICK COMMENTARY

PALM BEACH — At one table, Tony Dungy. At another, Mike Shanahan. At another, Jeff Fisher. Yet, only Bill Belichick's round table was as woefully short on seating as the one where Tony Sparano sat for 64 minutes.

Sparano's popularity at the AFC Coaches Breakfast was partly due to the proximity of South Florida media offices, partly due to the Dolphins' pole position in the upcoming draft, and partly due to simple curiosity. After all, few had confirmed the rumor that the Dolphins hired a head coach three months ago.

Soft spot for small-college prospects, from his playing and coaching experience at Division II New Haven?

"I have very few soft spots," Sparano said, smiling.

The questioners didn't get many hard answers, and shouldn't expect many from this secretive regime. Yet this press availability, Sparano's third since his hiring, was instructive just the same. It strengthened the assumptions and impressions that most have had since Bill Parcells plucked him from Dallas to lead the Dolphins.

Nick Saban used to say "it is what it is," even if it really wasn't what it wasn't.

Well, Sparano is what he is.

If Dolphins players haven't figured out what that is, they should soon enough. It is something quite opposite from what many experienced with Cam Cameron.

What should they expect?

Straight talk. Tough talk.

Talk like this: "At some point every player on our team, no matter who they are, will have to show me that they can still do it."

Talk like this: "I hope they hear this loud and clear, is that it's a show-me game."

Talk like this: "There's some changing of the culture that has to go on right now."

If they don't like such talk, if they aren't happy living in this "show-me" state, they are welcome to talk to his boss. Then they can talk to a Realtor.

"There's a lot of situations that you can walk into and I think not have the support of somebody like Bill Parcells in your building," Sparano said. "I think that's important."

It's not just important. It is everything. It is the primary reason that Sparano has a real shot at success here, even if he doesn't seem comfortable in the spotlight at the start.

Parcells has been referring to himself, in conversations with league types, as a "guidance counselor," charged with nursing Sparano and new General Manager Jeff Ireland in their new roles. He's more than that: he has value as a shadow and a threat. His looming presence, and his unconditional support of Sparano, will give weight to the rookie coach's words. Cameron was not afforded that luxury in 2007. He shared power with Randy Mueller, and H. Wayne Huizenga's familiarity with both men only went so far.

Looking to compare Sparano to someone? Forget every Dolphins coach who came before. The closest parallel can be found in the Heat's recent history. Stan Van Gundy coached one year at a big-time program: Wisconsin. Otherwise, they share quite a bit - mustaches, baseball obsessions, small college successes, rough public edges, long waits as pro assistants.

A legend's validation.

Van Gundy by Pat Riley.

Sparano by Parcells.

Riley let Van Gundy work at first, then undermined his protege some, starting with his summer 2005 declaration that he would take a "more active participation." Parcells is unlikely to do the same. He seems done with coaching. Plus, to stir things up in the local media, he would need to speak to the local media.

Sparano said Tuesday that he wanted Parcells on the practice field.

"Bill is going to let me coach," Sparano said. "I mean, there's no doubt about it. I know he trusts me. I know Jeff trusts me that way ... But I want his eyes. I want his input. That's important to me. This guy has done it. I don't have that kind of ego. It's not me."

Tuesday, we learned a little more about who Sparano is. Players will learn soon. Pity those with big egos.